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Are respectful teens a rare sight today? Meet Josh & Mia—two kids who challenge the norm. Should we bring back old-school parenting? Let’s talk about it.
I have to tell you about these kids—because, honestly, it made me stop and think. You ever see something so simple, so normal, that it actually feels rare? Almost… outdated? That’s exactly what happened when I met Josh and Mia.
These two teenagers—15 and 17—aren’t what you’d expect. No eye-rolling, no sarcastic “whatever”s, no glued-to-their-phone ignorance. Just… genuine respect. And not the forced kind, either. I saw it firsthand—the way Mia called out to her mom from the kitchen, asking if she needed help with dinner, or how Josh casually picked up his dad’s tools in the garage after watching him fix the car. Like it was second nature. Like they actually wanted to help.
When Did This Become Surprising?
I remember standing there, watching them, thinking—wait, when did this become weird? Because growing up, this wasn’t special. It was expected. You didn’t question whether you should set the table or carry the groceries inside—you just did it. Not for praise. Not because you were forced. Just because… well, that’s how families work, right?
But now? I’ve seen parents beg their kids just to look up from their screens long enough to acknowledge them. And let’s be real, I get it—technology isn’t evil. (I mean, I’m literally writing this on a screen, talking to you through one.) But something shifted. Somewhere between the rise of “gentle parenting” and the obsession with “kids should just be kids,” the idea of respect started fading.
The Parenting Factor—Nature, Nurture, or Just Luck?
I had to ask their mom, Sarah, How? How did she raise two teenagers who actually seem to enjoy being part of the family, instead of just coexisting under the same roof? Her answer? “Oh, I don’t know… we just treat each other like human beings.”
Which, if you think about it, is kind of a wild statement. Because it implies that not treating kids like human beings is somehow normal now.
Sarah explained that when her kids were younger, she never used chores as a punishment. Instead of “Go clean your room or no TV,” it was more like, “Hey, let’s make this place nice for all of us.” And instead of treating responsibility like a burden, she framed it as a privilege. Mia once told her, “I like helping because it makes me feel like I’m part of something. Not just a kid waiting to grow up.”
Let that sink in.
Should We Go Back to Basics?
Now, I’m not saying every family needs to suddenly revert to 1950s-style discipline—because, let’s be honest, that wasn’t perfect either. But maybe there’s something to be said for the old-school approach. Maybe not shielding kids from responsibility is the key to making them want it.
A while back, I came across an article talking about how teens who are given responsibility early in life tend to grow up more independent and emotionally secure. They don’t resent their parents for expecting them to contribute—they actually appreciate it. Funny how that works, right?
I guess what I’m trying to say is… maybe we shouldn’t be so shocked when we meet teens like Josh and Mia. Maybe they shouldn’t be the rare ones. Maybe it’s not about “kids these days” or “things just aren’t the same anymore.” Maybe we just need to raise the bar again.
So, what do you think? Have you seen teens like this, or do they really feel like a thing of the past?
tnh..x
